Police: Ga. Mom Suffocates Toddler After Breakup

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — Police say a DeKalb County mother suffocated her 3-year-old daughter after a fight with her live-in boyfriend.

The girl, Lela Bemis, was found unresponsive Sunday in the family's unit at the Landmark at Mountain View apartments.

According to the arrest warrant, investigators believe Meriel Bemis, 21, suffocated the girl with a pillow because she was upset that her boyfriend was breaking up with her.

Police said Bemis fought with her boyfriend, with whom she shares an apartment unit. He left and Bemis allegedly called him to come back. When he returned, he found the girl unresponsive in the bathroom, according to police.

The child was transported to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, where she was pronounced dead.